The Notch signal pathway directly controls stem cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Noncoding RNAs, including small microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs), are responsible for fine regulation of gene expression. It is also becoming increasingly evident that miRNAs have a profound impact on the Notch signaling pathway; conversely, Notch signaling can regulate a handful of miRNAs that are involved in the stem cell function. In this chapter, we summarize our current knowledge of Notch-mediated stem cell differentiation and the cross talk between miRNAs and the Notch signal pathway on determining the fate of stem cells.
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